How to Make a Free Website in Less Than 10 Minutes

-By Dan dos SantosI thought I'd pick up on Serge's post last week about promoting yourself on the internet. Obviously, the most essential aspect of self-promotion on the web is having a personal website. If you're reading this blog, I would assume that you're at least serious enough to already have a website... but you never know.I hear all sorts of excuses for why aspiring artists don't have a website yet. Unfortunately, they are just that... excuses....

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Dress Your Marines in White

-By Gregory ManchessSometimes, paintings just come off the board....at least, it feels that way. Dress Your Marines in White is a short story art directed by Irene Gallo for Tor.com. She had an idea and sketched it out on a napkin or something and sent it to me.The large letters refer to the individual soldiers’ blood type. We had ideas to work with camo designs, etc., but the story didn’t call for that. I shot some reference of me and made...

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Leo Dillon 1933-2012

Sadly, another giant has passed. Leo Dillion died Saturday, May 26; He was 79 years old. According to close friend, Harlan Ellison, Leo succumbed to a "...tumor on the collapsed lung, he never regained consciousness."Friend, advisor, Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame Inductee, Spectrum Grand Master, and one half of an influential, groundbreaking, and unparalleled art team, Leo was simply the best. Our deepest sympathies to Diane and their son...

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Back from Spectrum

-By Justin GerardToday's post will be brief as I am still recovering from the awesomeness that was Spectrum Live 2012.I can't remember the last time I have had so much fun. Apart from how great it is to get together with old friends and see what everyone has been up to this whole time, it was great to meet so many new artists that came out for this event. It was also really great to see so many of the European artists make it out. There is...

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At the Edge: Art of the Fantastic Exhibition

-By John Jude PalencarJust when you thought it was safe to relax after the awesome Spectrum Fantastic Art Live event. Our sincerest gratitude goes out to Arnie and Cathy Fenner and their crew... those folks in Kansas City really know how to put on wonderful event!Well... put your boots back on and head over to the Allentown Art Museum for Pat and Jeannie Wilshire’s brainchild exhibition....The Allentown Art Museum of the Lehigh Valley is pleased...

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Ancient Wings in the Vineyard

-By Terryl WhitlatchThe French have a word for it, that sense of time and place.  It’s known as “terroir”, and technically speaking, connotes the special characteristics that the geography, geology, and climate of a certain location bestow upon the agricultural crops grown there.  In particular, this is what the wine industry is all about, whether we are talking about an Australian shiraz or an Oregon reisling, and it is this, the unique...

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Syd Mead art in NYC

Syd Mead, Future (Perfect) May 11 - June 30, 2012A quick mention that Syd Mead has an exhibition of his work at BravinLee Programs. It looks to be a range of work, totaling 12 pieces.  Check it out if you can!526 West 26th Street #211New York, NY 10001(212) 462 - 4404info@bravinlee....

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Promoting Yourself On The Internet

-By Serge BiraultYes, I know, you're an artist, you hate maketing. Self promoting is too boring and time consuming for you and it's a waste of time.You're all wrong …If you are a freelancer, you cannot spend your time searching for clients. 20 years ago, I only worked for clients living in my own town or on my own country. It no longer works this way. I'm working for clients all over the world now. The internet is an incredible tool for sharing...

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Spectrum Live! May 18-20, 2012

-By DonatoFor those of you who have not yet heard, the first Spectrum Live! was held this past weekend in Kansas City, representing a gathering of the finest minds, professionals and artists practicing within the fields of science fiction, fantasy and concept art.Notice the key word 'practicing'.  This was not an event staged around museum works or academics, but rather a place where comrades slogging their way through the extremely competitive...

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Spectrum Live Photo Galleries

Karl, from Stainless Steel Droppings, describes his experience at Spectrum Live here.Photo Gallery by Jon Schindehette, Art Director for Wizards of the Coast.Photo Gallery and Blog Post by Irene Gallo, Art Director for Tor Books.Photo Gallery of the Event, and the Awards Gala, by Janet J...

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Elrond

-By Jesper EjsingA couple of weeks ago I was offered a rather strange assignment. A set of Lord of the Rings cards all painted by John Howe was missing 2 pieces of artwork. They asked me to do a test illustration to see if I could come up with something that was close to Howe so that the portrait didn´t stand out too much from the rest of the illustrations. I thought “Sure, no prob. I can paint like Johnny Boy”.Turns out I couldn't.They just told...

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